Minutes
Faculty Senate Meeting
March 7, 2012
Professor Girard called the meeting to order at 2:20 PM
Present: Professor Jim Girard, Leigh Riddick, Barlow Burke, Melissa Becher, Phil Brenner, Joe
Dent, Christine DeGregorio, Larry Engel, Alberto Espinosa, Phil Jacoby, Jonathan Loesberg,
Stacey Marien, Sarah Menke- Fish, Candice Nelson, Gemma Puglisi, Patricia West, Mary
Hansen, Lacey Wootton, Provost Scott Bass and Dean Phyllis Peres
Welcome and Introduction, Jim Girard
Professor Girard called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. He requested that senators
be aware of the Senate elections which will starting tomorrow March 8, 2012 and will be running
for 12 days. He requested that the each senator encourage their colleagues to vote to ensure a
successful election.
Provost Report. Scott Bass
Provost Bass stated that the completion of the review of the Graduate Regulations today is
necessary so not to impede their implementation by the Registrar’s Office as well as the work
that OIT has to complete to have the regulations implemented by the fall.
Provost Bass stated that he had just returned from an ETS meeting of selected Provosts of
different institutions across the country including some administrators of lead organizations
regarding higher education. One of the most striking pieces of information that he learned was in
regards to undergraduate education around the country. AU, along with other fine selected
liberal arts colleges and universities are making cuts and the results are staggering. As the
economy gets better we will see a change including more reductions from the federal
government due to an aging society and the debt the federal government has incurred. He stated
that AU will also be making some changes starting in 2014 to adjust for this. Provost Bass stated
that the average reduction nationwide is 7%. It is not a happy sign that tuition rises and the
quality of education decreases. He stated that he is pointing this out to let everyone know how
fortunate this institution is.
Professor Girard stated again that he is reminding all senators that the completion of the graduate
regulations must be completed today to meet the fall rollout and that cooperation from all
senators would be appreciated.
Graduate Regulations Review, Leigh Riddick
•
Creation of Graduate Council to Assist in Formation of Ph.D. Doctorial Council
language. Concern was expressed about the choice of having an external review member
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limited to those outside the university, changing the name to Doctoral Council, and
several minor word changes to clarify certain sentences.
The Senate VOTED on the Changes to the Doctorial Council Committee and it was
passed unanimously.
Review of the remainder of the document was completed with minor word changes and
Professor Riddick turned the meeting back over to Professor Girard.
Professor Girard stated that he would like to move to accept all the changes that the senate had
been working on and to have a vote for acceptance contingent upon sending the edited document
with the agreed changes to all senators for final comments. If necessary, any changes of
substance will come back to the senate floor for discussion.
Professor Brenner stated that he felt strongly that a review of a final document for all colleagues
needed to take place.
Provost Bass stated that he wanted to have a vote on the “spirit” of the current document so that
further work by the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies Jon Tubman, the registrar and OIT can
move forward and begin the necessary work to implement the document for the fall.
Professor Girard stated he wanted to move the spirit of the document as discussed to vote and
asked for someone to second the motion. Professor Larry Engel seconded the motion and a vote
was taken.
The senate VOTED and the vote was unanimous in favor.
Annual Review Timeline for Pre-Tenure Faculty, Jim Girard
Professor Girard stated that the Deans have raised the issue with the current language in the
Faculty Manual for reviews for Pre-Tenure faculty. New language was introduced for discussion
changing when the reviews would take place. Changes were suggested to be the third and sixth
years. After much deliberation, it was decided to table the discussion, edit and re-write the areas
of confusion and bring it back to the senate for the next meeting.
For the Good of the Order, Jim Girard
Professor Girard asked if there was any discussion for the good of the order. No discussion was
had.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 PM
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